Conan O’Brien honoured former Tonight Show sidekick Ed McMahon during last night's broadcast of the chatshow.

The Star Search host passed away at the age of 86 yesterday, while O'Brien expressed the impact McMahon had on the programme.

He said: "It is impossible I think, for anyone to imagine the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson without Ed McMahon. Ed's laugh was really the soundtrack to that show.

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"For 30 years Ed played his part perfectly, he played it with effortless joy and sitting alongside Johnny, Ed was an indelible part of what I think is the most iconic two-shot in broadcasting history."

He added: "There will never be anything like that again. Now everybody here at the Tonight Show mourns the loss of this warm and really truly funny man.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and to his fans everywhere... Ed, you will be missed."

O’Brien took over the late night hosting duties from Jay Leno earlier this month. The former presenter recently said that his replacement would transfer easily into his new job.